My thoughts on the Phillies season.

Myers pitches well in a no-decision, the Phils lose in extra-innings as bats are silent.

Brett Myers goes seven innings for the Phils last night, giving up two earned on six hits while striking out ten Giants in a no-decision. Myers seems to have gotten the zip back in his fastball, as he effectively used it and the rest of his arsenal to keep San Francisco off of the scoreboard for most of the game. The Giants would take a quick 1-0 lead in the first on a RBI single by Randy Winn, scoring Fred Lewis who has started the game off with a walk and then later stole second, the first of four for the Giants, which would have dire consequences later in the ballgame for the Phillies. The Phils would tie the game up in the fourth inning on a solo home-run by Chase Utley, his league leading thirteenth of the season, off of Giants’ starter, Matt Cain. The Giants would retake the lead in the top of the fifth, when Lewis hits a solo shot of his own off of Myers, his third of the year. The Phils would then retie it in their half of the fifth, as Geoff Jenkins hits his second home run of the year off of Cain, who would eventually pitch seven full innings, giving up two earned runs, both on solo home runs, on three hits, while striking out eight Phils, as he also ended up receiving a no decision. After that, the game would remain tied, with both Myers and Cain being lifted for pitch hitters, as the Phils would be involved in their third straight game where the game would be decided by the opposing bullpens, as well as their second straight extra-innings affair. Chad Durbin and Brad Lidge would each pitch an inning for the Phils, giving up only one hit, while the Giants would counter with Tyler Walker and Jack Taschner, who both kept the Phils hitless, thus sending the game into extra innings. In the top half of the tenth, Rudy Seanez, who was now pitching for the Phils, got into trouble as, with one out, he gives up a single to Winn, who would then steal second. Bengie Molina would then drive in Winn with an RBI single. After striking out Aaron Rowand, Seanez would give up singles to John Bowker and Rich Aurilia to load the bases. Seanez would get out of the inning with no further damage by getting Jose Costillo to hit into a force out. Brian Wilson would be given the ball by the Ginats with Pat Burrell, the previous night’s hero, being the first person to face him. Burrell was able to work a walk, but that would be the best the Phils would be able to do against Wilson as he would get a force play, a strike out and a ground out to end the game and record his league leading tenth save of the year.

The Phils waste a good outing by Brett Myers as San Francisco pitching kept the Phils’ bats quiet by giving up only three hits in ten innings, while striking out ten Phils. The Phils’ losing pitcher is Seanez who is now 2-2 with a 1.64 ERA. The winning pitcher for the Giants is Jack Taschner who’s record is now 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA.

Despite the lost, the Phils are still leading both the Mets and the Marlins by .5 games in the National League East standings as both teams have also lost last night.

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